Chapter 48 The Queen of Hell and a surprise visitor

Chapter 48 The Queen of Hell and a surprise visitor
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT – The Queen of Hell and a surprise visitor.

Daphne

A small tension builds in my belly as fear grips me. A living form of fear like I’ve been encased in it. I can’t stop hearing the voices screaming, the mal-shaped demons, the nonstop fear, the darkness, all of it gets under my skin.

I am in Hell. Literally. And my professor is the Devil.

This doesn’t make sense. Not one bit. “I don’t understand, Hades. You are the ruler of Hell? Like in the stories?”

“They’re not just stories. They are real and as you can see, we are in Hell. My realm.”

My fear metamorphizes into panic attack. My heartbeat accelerates to a speed I can’t control. I can hear the blood rushing through my skin and feel my heart beating like it’s going to come bursting out of my chest.

I collapse, falling to the ground but halfway down, Hades catches me. Despite my fear, I let him carry me back to the bed. In his arm, everything feels normal again. I feel a strong pull of desire for him, for his kiss, his fingers on me.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I don’t even know what to say. Am I okay? I am in Hell!

“I know this is all a bit much for you. Why don’t I start from the beginning?” he says.

I have nowhere to run to. How would I even leave Hell if I tried? I am stuck here with him. I listen to him begin the story of our history: how he was cursed to love me for eternity, chasing me for ages trying to make me his soulmate. When we met, I never thought any of this would be possible. It feels like a fairytale. It’s both disturbing and compelling.

“Wait a minute, you’ve been chasing me for eons now?”

He lowers his head. “I love you, Daphne. I understand if you don’t want to be with me. But I believe you are my soulmate. I would do anything for you. I would chase you for all of eternity if I have to. This doesn’t have to change anything between us. We can stay here forever.”

My ears perk up at that. “Excuse me? What do you mean? Live here forever?”

He wrings his fingers. “Um, we don’t have to talk about that now. I understand you might be a little terrified of Hell but I can’t wait to show you around. I have prepared a banquet in your honor tonight. Why don’t you get ready? Let’s celebrate,” he says.

He stands up to leave. I had to stand up, too, and chase after him. “No, no, we need to talk about this. What do you mean? Am I going to live here forever?”

He opens the door. Outside, there are five human servants waiting. They are holding different things: clothes, makeup, shoes, hair stuff. Immediately, I can tell something’s wrong with them. They are pale, cold, unmoving. I wonder if they are living or dead. Have they been imprisoned here for me?

“These are your servants. They will take care of you and whatever you need. You would not lack. You would live like a queen because that’s what you are. The Queen of Hell,” Hades says.

“I don’t want to be the Queen of Hell. Hell no!”

Hades takes a deep breath. “Why don’t you get ready for the banquet? I’ll talk to you later.”

He starts to walk away. I try to chase after him but the servants stop me. They pull me into the room. “No no, don’t leave me here! Hades!” I scream.

My entire life has come crashing down. I can’t even begin to understand what’s happening to me. it must be a joke, or some fucking nightmare.

The servants draw up a bath for me. They take their sweet time cleaning me up. Later, they deposit me in front of the mirror to prepare me for the banquet. By the end, I am wearing a long-flowing black gown with long slit. A diamond tiara sits atop my head. I look Queenly, gorgeous, almost powerful.

But internally, I am frightened to death. The servants lead me down a long hallway, some stairs and finally into a banquet hall. As soon as the door opens, my favorite classical music starts to play. The hall is filled to the brim with some of the strangest creatures I’ve ever met.

They stand in rows on both sides, forming a path in the middle for me to walk through. All the way to Hades’ throne. My legs shake as I walk. I want to turn around and flee if not for the servants coercing me ahead.

Hades stand in front of his throne, waiting for me. He is dressed in black cape, his entire appearance is sharper. His eyes are red and fierce. His hair flows down his back. He has a menacing aura. Seductive but dangerous. Compelling but deadly.

He smiles at me when I reach him. There is a smaller throne next to him. My throne. I still can’t believe this is happening. He takes my hand and guides me to my throne.

“Thank you for coming,” he whispers to me.

“I really didn’t have much of a fucking choice,” I retort. I am angry and terrified.

He turns to the audience. His legion of demons and weirdly-shaped creatures. Beyond the thick walls of the hall, I can still hear the faint cries of lost souls. It’s like I’m living inside a nightmare.

“Tonight, we welcome our queen home as she takes her rightful place next to me!” Hades starts to say.

“Um, no, actually I don’t want to be here,” I say. I don’t know where I found the strength but the thought of living here forever with these creatures cripples me with fear.  

Hades turns to me. His eyes soften with wordless plea. I love him but not enough to live here with him.

“I can’t do it. I’m so sorry, Hades!”

Loud gasps erupt in the crowd.

Hades’ eyes narrows. “Yes, you can. remember? It’s me. You can…”

He grabs my hand, almost yanking it off its sockets. I burst into tears. “Please, I want to go back home.”

“This is your home now!”

A portal of bright angelic light opens up in the middle of the hall, dispersing the crowd. The demons and creatures all scramble away from it.

We watch as a woman dressed in white descends from the light. I recognize her immediately. I’ve seen her in my dreams, and in visions I had at the island during my vacation with Hades. I’ve heard her calling my name.

“Dalia,” Hades spits out the name with hatred.

“Dalia? Who’s she?”

The woman smiles at me, reminding me of home. “Daphne, my darling daughter.”